Drugs, Bombs & Break-ins

The Chicago Journal News-Star reported on five seperate incidents in and around Edgewater this week:

- Three men were found by police at the Summit Motel at 5308 N Lincoln in with marijuana, ecstacy, cocaine, a large amount of cash and bomb making instructions in their vehicles. One of the men resides at 5700 N Glenwood.

- A 52 year old man was beaten by two men in their late teens on his back porch at 1200 W Winnemac.

- A burglar was caught in the act after prying open a basement door in the 5300 block of N Magnolia and attempting to steal over $2400 worth of good.s

- Another break-in at an apartment on the 4900 block of N Winthrop.

- And yet another (attempted) break in at an apartment on the 1100 block of W Balmoral. A woman heard glass breaking and a man was attempting to reach in and unlatch the door to gain entry.

Read the full article here.

Edgewater man charged with mailing tainted blood to Prez

According to ChicagoBreakingNews.com an Ethiopian refugee who resides in Edgewater was charged with mailing an envelope in December containing various articles with his HIV-infected blood and an orange powder to then President-elect Obama. Saad Hussein, 27, apparently cut his fingers with a razor to soak the articles and sent them to Obama in an attempt to get help from the government. Hussein has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after his arrest.
Source: ChicagoBreakingNews.com

Daley Tight-Lipped on Plans for Stimulus Money

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Daley holding back on stimulus money wish list

February 26, 2009
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter
Mayor Daley said Thursday he’s holding back his wish list of projects Chicago wants to fund with largesse from the federal stimulus package because he’s afraid of raising political expectations.

“If I go out and announce 20, 40, 50 projects, it would be great. Oh, big headlines. Then you turn around and only two of those projects go forward, and you announced them in 40 different communities. I mean, you’ll destroy me overnight. And the public will destroy you,” Daley said.

“That’s why we have to be very careful on this. Your expectations are so high. But realistically, we don’t know how much money actually is gonna come to the city,” Daley said. “People say they have all these plans and everything. But they don’t know if they’re gonna get any money. I’m just cautioning everybody, this is not as much money as everyone may think it is.”

Mayors from across the country have released a detailed list of projects. Daley has talked only in the broadest of strokes.

Read the full Sun Times article here. We wonder why 'da Mayor is being so secretive. He's usually not one to be "afraid of raising political expectations."

Crisis Averted - Thanks, Edgewater

Thanks to all who called 311 regarding the uncovered sewer hole on Broadway - we noticed this evening that it had been covered.

As always, feel free to email hollywoodbeach60640@gmail.com if you have any photos, stories, or "action items" you or your neighbors need publicized.

Neighborhood Condo Development Pushes Forward

According to the YoChicago website, one (not two) Edgewater condo development continues to push forward with plans despite a struggling economy and stagnent real estate market.

A project at 5434 N Winthrop was found on Rubloff Chicago's "Not Yet Listed" section of their website. This building is composed of 8 rehabbed units - 2 one-bedroom garden units starting at $239K and 6 two-bedroom units starting at $329K. Parking is also available. For more information check out the realtors listing of these condos & and YoChicago's feature article.

CORRECTION: It appears information posted here about Bluewater 5440 was outdated and incorrect (thanks to a reader for pointing it out). Upon further digging (well, really just Googling at this point) it appears that the homepage for the Bluewater 5440 website has been taken down. The last news we've heard was here in September when the city approved the plan for the project. We appologize for the previous post - if anyone has any further info, let us know.

Public Hearing

Dominick's at Foster and Sheridan Coming Down and Going Up

The Edgewater Development Corporation is sponsoring a public meeting on the plans of Dominick's Finer Foods to demolish its store at Foster and Sheridan and build a new one.
Public Hearing:

Thursday, Feb. 26th 7:00 pm

Margate Park Fieldhouse, 4921 N. Marine Dr.
#151 bus from Sheridan Road/limited free parking

This may be residents only opportunity to see the plan and ask questions. The developers have met with Alderman Smith and her staff and the changes she wants probably have been made.

We at the ECB cannot attend the meeting, unfortunately. If anyone is able to attend, please email feedback to HollywoodBeach60640@gmail.com so that we can give everyone an update. We're curious for the plans of this site. Many grocers have been updating/upgrading their stores in an effort to keep Walmart out of the city. The Dominick's site in Lakeview that burned is being rebuilt with a beautiful condo building as a part of the plan, and there have been rumors of a CTA turnaround site as a possibility for this Edgewater location, which would use TIF dollars to pay for it.

Andersonville Retailer Adds EarthPositive Clothing Line

SkinStinct, a Chicago-based boutique that specializes in environmentally friendly clothing, towels and spa products, has added EarthPositive climate neutral clothing to it's line up at all three Chicago retail locations according to a recent press release. EarthPositive's website (www.earthpositiveonline.com) describes their wares as "Organic cotton, ethically made T-shirts, Polo shirts and hooded sweatshirts,but crucially, manufactured solely using renewable green energy generatedfrom wind and solar power." You can check out SkinStinct in Andersonville at 5135 N Clark or online at http://www.skinstinct.com/.

Action needed, Edgewater

This hole is some sort of pipe or swerer and at least 2 feet deep and sits oncovered on Broadway just in front of the parking lot of the abandoned Piser Funeral Home. Help us out by calling 311 to have the City fix it before someone gets hurt.

Flourish should Flourish

We've had the opportunity to check out Flourish Bakery Cafe at 1138 W Bryn Mawr and came away impressed each time. Flourish has a little bit (actually a lot) of everything, from good lunch grub including sandwiches, salads, wraps, paninis and soups to a full bakery of homemade baked goods including cakes, pies, muffins and breads. They also have a small breakfast menu and brew fresh Metropolis coffee. You can view their full menus online at www.flourishbakerycafe.com. We highly recommend you check the place out yourself!

Burglaries, Batteries, Molotov Cocktails & More

Bedtime burglary
A woman was in bed reading in her home on the 5300 block of N. Winthrop, when she saw someone opening her bedroom window around 9 a.m. on Feb. 14. The victim heard a noise in the kitchen and immediately phoned police. She did not get a good look at the person opening her window and could not give police a description. Police said someone entered the home through a kitchen window. The victim reported a back pack, containing an iPod and $20 cash, were missing.
Hollywood battery
Police arrested 23-year-old Eric Starks of the 4800 block of W. Washington after he allegedly struck a 36-year-old man during a skirmish in a parking lot in the 1000 of W. Hollywood. The victim told police that he and his girlfriend arrived at his apartment complex around 3 a.m. on Feb. 16. After parking his car in the private lot which requires a permit, the victim and his girlfriend went up to his apartment. When he looked out his window, he noticed a tow truck towing his car. The victim ran downstairs to show the driver his parking permit, police said. The victim told police that the driver wasn't interested in hearing his explanation. According to the police report, the driver grabbed a bat from inside the tow truck and struck the victim across the arm. The victim called police and reportedly positively identified the tow truck driver as the man who allegedly struck him. The victim was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital where he was treated and released. Starks, who was charged with battery, has a March 9 court date.
Mugging botched
A 37-year-old man was grabbed on his way home from the supermarket around 10 p.m. Feb. 10. The victim told police he was walking on the 1500 block of W. Bryn Mawr, when a man grabbed his right arm. He ordered the victim to give up his money and cell phone. The victim pushed the man away and ran into the middle of the street, yelling, "Help, I'm being mugged." The would-be robber ran away and the victim went back to the supermarket to call police. The victim wasn't injured and nothing was taken.
Strong-armed on Kenmore
Four men in their late teens robbed a 54-year-old man in the 4900 block of N. Kenmore. The victim said he was walking to the corner store around 9 p.m. on Feb. 10, when the teens came up from behind and pushed him against a building. One of them grabbed $15 out of the victim's coat pocket, and they all fled on foot.
Garage set on fire
Two boys in their early teens were spotted allegedly throwing what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail at a garage in the 4900 block of N. Ashland around 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 10. The victims told police that after throwing the object, the youths fled northbound through the alley. One of the family members said the garage had been torched a few years ago. The victims believe it may be retaliation for a family member who is a former gang member.
Not Aunt Bea's 'kerosene cukes'
A 55-year-old woman heard a thud against her back door around 9 p.m. on Feb. 11. When she opened the door, she saw a jar stuffed with a rag sitting on the back porch. The victim took the jar and dropped it off the porch on the lawn below. The next morning, she received a text message exchange between her daughter and a friend who were at school. The friend told the daughter that some boys from school were about to light the jar, which was apparently filled with gasoline, on the back porch. Police found a 16-ounce pickle jar in the back yard that was filled with gasoline. White T-shirt material had been tied around the top with a black shoelace.
Robbed while helping neighbor
A 73-year-old man was working on his car inside his garage on the 4800 block of N. Fairfield with his door open. The victim told police that a man in his late 20s appeared in his garage around noon Feb. 12 and demanded his wallet.When the offender saw that there was no money in the wallet, the victim began yelling for help, drawing the attention of two neighbors. The neighbors yelled at the offender to leave the victim alone. The man grabbed a tool from the garage and swung it at one of the neighbors. He then grabbed the neighbor's gold necklace and fled in a tan car that was parked in the alley.
Source: News-Star

Sweet Occasions/Sweet Thang Employees Still Owed Wages

Just when you were thinking "I haven't heard a Sweet Occasions update recently," the Chicago Journal News-Star comes through.

No sweet ending yet
Workers still waiting for wages from bakery
By LORRAINE SWANSON, Staff Reporter
Rodolfo Nava, 53, has seen hard times before, but not like this. Still waiting for the $800 he claims is owed to him by the owners of Sweet Thang Bakery and the Sweet Occasions and More ice cream shops, his face is lined with worry as he sits in a McDonald's surrounded by his children.
"My landlord has started eviction papers," said Nava, who came to the United States from Mexico 30 years ago. "When you don't have a job, you can't find another place to move."
Read the entire story at the Chicago Journal News-Star website.

Next P & D Meeting: Aldi Store for Clarovista and New Restaurant on Broadway

P&D Meeting

Planning & Development

March 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Broadway Armory Park

5917 N Broadway

2nd Floor Ballroom

Parking lot next to Armory at corner of Thorndale/Broadway

Agenda:
1. Incidental Liquor License - Abyssinia Restaurant, 5842 N Broadway, Abraham, Owner. Local block club is EPIC, which has approved the request.
2. Introduction of "New Concept" ALDI store for The Clarovista (previously called "The Granville") at Broadway/Granville. Bill Platt, building owner, with representatives from ALDI and CB Richard Ellis. Local block club is NEBA.
The purpose of the Planning & Development meeting is for the community to hear presentations on proposals for new developments & new businesses, zoning change requests, special permit requests, and community planning issues. The presentations are followed by informative discussions with input from individuals with skills and knowledge relevant to the topics.
This is an open public meeting. Come and get informed!

Is that a raisin in my bagel or.....?

We recently noticed this big bright yellow "License Suspended" notice on the front door of Einstein Bagel at 5318 N Clark. What was ironic, (and what my camera did not capture) was that despite the obvious notice from the city that this business had been shut down, Einstein tried to cover it up by putting up their own free standing sign on the sidewalk claiming that the store was "undergoing renovations." According to the Chi-Town Daily News, this establishment was shuttered due to mouse droppings being found during multiple visits by inspectors.
Source: Chi-Town Daily News

UPDATE (2/22/09): It appears that this isnt the first violation against this location. According to this article, this same Einstein Bagel was shut down in 2006 for multiple violations including mouse droppings and a black goo in the ice machine.

CHA Restoring Seniors' Buildings

From Alderman Smith's Office:
After years of sitting vacant, the CHA will soon begin to renovate and restore two seniors' buildings, the Kenmore at 5040 N. Kenmore and the Pomeroy at 1138 Hollywood. The buildings were closed in 2004 and 2006 respectively because of their deteriorating physical condition. Funding issues prevented the rehab work from beginning sooner.

This project will restore 256 units of critically-needed senior housing to the community. Currently, there are no vacancies at any of the low-income seniors' buildings in the Ward, and most buildings have at least a two-
year waiting list.

Work on the Kenmore will be completed in March, 2011 and on the Pomeroy in October, 2011. Tenants who were displaced from the buildings will have first priority on the refurbished apartments.

A special acknowledgement is due to Jane Addams Senior Caucus and to U. S. Representative Jan Schakowsky whose strong advocacy and leadership were critical in moving these projects forward.

Found Cat

From Craigslist (2/11/09):
"Found a young gray cat near Sheridan and Glenlake on Thursday February 5th. If you are missing your companion animal, and you think this may be her, e-mail me with your cats detailed description. If I do not find the owner, I will be admitting her into a no-kill shelter next week. Contact: comm-1031048554@craigslist.org"

Trouble Causing Buildings' Management Challenged

Three buildings which have been a source of criminal activity managed by Circle Management have appeared or are scheduled to appear in court. The buildings located at 4940, 5718 and 6019 N. Winthrop offer affordable low income rental housing through the city's Low Income Housing Trust Fund but have become a neighborhood headache. Despite receiving a combined $410,962 in subsidies from the city, the buildings have been cited for a number of violations and offer poor living conditions.

Source: Chicago Journal

Andersonville Galleria Closed for Construction

The Andersonville Galleria located at 5247 N Clark is temorarily closed for construction. This loft-like retail space allows artists and vendors to rent small spaces on a month to month basis to sell their crafts: anything from food to art to clothing and accessories. The construction is focused on the second floor, and is expected to be completed by early Spring.

Update Regarding Yesterday's Stabbing

The stabbing at Berwyn and Hoyne yesterday morning has been confirmed as a domestic situation, and a passerby actually stepped in to assist the victim.

Chicago Tribune coverage of the incident

6:38 PM, 5101 N. Sheridan - Disturbance in the lobby with an intoxicated male.

6:55, Pratt and Bosworth - Officer reports there is lots of activity near this intersection and mentions gang dispersal.

7:10, Bryn Mawr and Glenwood - Report of 40 kids in the street fighting. Responding Officer says there is a dance at Senn High School, and it's likely just a crowd. Other Officers are asking questions about the location, saying there is nothing at the aforementioned intersection.

7:15, Location unknown - Officer en route to a premise check at Senn High School. He is asking someone to narrow down the time the dance ends. A second Officer responds asking to be given the same information because he would like to be aware.

7:19 4547 Dover - Report of someone breaking into an apartment. Responding Officer says things look OK from the outside but he is checking around.

7:21, 6804 N. Ashland - Narcotics dispersal of 2 people.

7:29, 1600 W. Jonquil - Assault just occurred at the Jonquin Hotel. Caller says a black male subject threatened to beat her up and then fled.

7:50, 1600 W. Jonquil - Male caller says he has a problem with a female and he will be waiting in front.

7:56, 6708 N. Clark - Gang dispersal.

Stabbing on Berwyn

From Craig Gernhardt over at the Broken Heart of Rogers Park....

"Bona fide domestic dispute stabbing at Berwyn and Hoyne leaves two lying in the street. Police are on scene."

Chicago Named Third Most Miserable City

Despite having one of our own named President, beautiful parks and the lakefront, a possible Olympic bid and the recent success of the Cubs, Sox and Bears, Chicago was named the 3rd most miserable city by Forbes due to lousy weather (hey its 60 degrees in February!), high taxes and heavy traffic. Personally I think it's a joke that Chicago would rank among the same group as Cleveland, Flint and Detroit. Check out the article here and let us know what you think, Chicago.

From Crain's Chicago: Dominick’s buys motel next to store

We previously reported about this story in January. Read below for more information on the deal from Crain's Chicago.
(Crain’s) — Dominick's Finer Foods LLC paid $4 million for a motel property in Edgewater next to one of its stores, setting the stage for a possible redevelopment of a nearly three-acre site near the lakefront.
The acquisition of the 59-room Chicago Lodge, 920 W. Foster Ave., follows Dominick’s purchase in January 2008 of the store, which CoStar Group Inc. says is 45,900 square feet. The store is just west of the motel, which closed after Dominick’s bought it.
Dominick’s paid $5.85 million for the store, stepping in after the 2.3-acre property was marketed to developers as a site for a two-tower, residential complex above a new grocery store.
Read the entire article from Crain's here.

Power Outages in Edgewater.....again

Power went out temporarily in Edgewater early this morning in the area bound by Sheridan to Broadway and Ardmore to Loyola. According to ComEd about 540 customers were effected, but power has been restored. We reported power outages just last Friday, but there is no word if these two outages were connected.

Source: ChicagoBreakingNews.com

Fix Wilson Yard Fundraiser @ In Fine Spirits

From fixwilsonyard.org:
Oscar Weekend Kickoff To Benefit Fix WIlson Yard's Uptown Fight!
While Fix Wilson Yard has made considerable headway in taking the city to court and making our voices heard, we still have a long way to go in the fight. Taking on the city is a huge challenge and we cannot do it alone, we need your help and what better way than by joining us for an evening of Hollywood glamour and glitz "Prelude to the Oscars©".

Please join us Thursday, February 19, 2009 at In Fine Spirits for "Prelude to the Oscars©", doors open at 7pm, a great way to prepare for the big night! A wine tasting headlines our star-studded evening featuring a choice of bold California wines! Light bites will be included to cleanse the palate between glasses and awards will be given for the best wine of the evening voted by your expert sense of taste.

Our gracious hosts that evening are the great neighbors at In Fine Spirits, 5418 N Clark St and admission is $40 per person. You can purchase tickets through paypal or google checkout by clicking on the links below or through our website by clicking here. To buy tickets through paypal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
Or to pay via Google checkout: https://checkout.google.com/view/buy?o=shoppingcart&shoppingcart=636212145782135

You can also pay by check. Make your check payable to GWNA (Graceland Wilson Neighbors Association), write "FWY Oscars Event" in the memo section and mail to:

Fix Wilson Yard, P.O. Box 13365, Chicago, IL 60613
Please make sure your check is in the mail and postmarked by February 9.

6:54PM, 6602 N. Ashland - Residential burglary report.

7:10, 4804 N. Broadway - Staff at Crew Bar and Grill are holding a drunk homeless man who came into the business and began throwing stuff around.

7:15, 6945 N. Clark - A bank's front door alarm is going off.

7:51, Berwyn and Sheridan - Passenger on the 147 bus says they were robbed. Unit is on the scene and is giving a slowdown.

7:52, Berwyn and Sheridan - Unit is on scene giving a slowdown. Officer says a phone was stolen.

8:43, Howard and Western - Multiple calls coming in from the area near Walgreens. Reports of people fighting with sticks and breaking windows. This was originally reported as multiple calls of shots fired. Responding Officer says there was something going on, but the offenders have fled. A slowdown is given and the Officer indicated there is property damage.

8:46, Howard and Western - Issue has turned out to be a domestic situation, some type of altercation with damage to property.

8:53, 4946 N. Sheridan - Domestic call. Injured victim was in the lobby of the building, and responding officers are heading up to the apartment.

8:55, Howard and Ridge - CTA bus standing idle facing southbound, passenger is threatening the driver.

9:09, 5747 N. Winthrop - Battery in progress report. Male is heading southbound, chasing a female with his vehicle. Several calls have come in about this, one of them said people were fighting in the alley.

9:16, Morse Red Line stop - El check.

9:21, 5800 N. Glenwood - Disturbance call, 10 females fighting in the street.

9:46, 6042 N. Kenmore - Suspicious person. Male has been sitting in a dark colored vehicle for several hours.

10:06, 5700 N. Sheridan - Drunk resident wandering the hallways.

Last Week for Ticket Amnesty

People who have outstanding parking or red-light tickets can get substantial reductions in penalties and fees if they pay their tickets or set up a payment plan by February 14. Savings include 50% off penalties for tickets issued before Jan. 1, 2007, and waiving of boot, tow and storage fees on a previously booted vehicle. For people who can't pay in full, payment plans are available. After the amnesty period, a vehicle will be boot-eligible for two delinquent tickets that are more than one year old. You can pay on-line and get additional information at the Department of Revenue's website.

2009 Sweetheart of Edgewater Party

Tuesday, Feb. 17th

5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

Location: Ole St. Andrew's Inn (5938 N. Broadway)

Join us for a fun evening of hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and the presentation of the 2009 "Sweetheart of Edgewater" Award. The evening will also feature a networking game, so be sure to bring a nice handful of business cards. RSVP & TicketsRSVP to the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce at 773-561-6000 or info@edgewater.org. Admission is $25 and can be paid by check or cash in advance or at the door. You can also purchase tickets online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/55505.

It's my birthday

Sorry, don't expect any posts or news today.....I'm takin the day off!

It's a temperate 56 degrees out there this afternoon, Edgewater. The snow is melting and we are listening....

1:50 PM, 2069 W. Argyle - Something is burning in an apartment at this address, caller can smell smoke.

1:52, 2472 W. Foster - Male subject is disturbing the peace and begging for money.

1:58, 6329 N. Mozart - Gang or TAC unit requested to respond to a vice complaint.

2:00, 5029 N. Kenmore -Exterior premise check of the synagogue at this address.

2:01, 6622 N. Clark - Male Hispanic causing a disturbance in the doorway.

2:35, 5240 N. Winthrop - Mail carrier reports there is a man with a knife.

2:37, 5240 N. Winthrop - Officers have the suspect in custody.

2:47, 1114 W. Balmoral - Offsite caller says woman at this location is suicidal and threatening to harm herself.

2:59, 1114 W. Balmoral - Supervisor requested for approval of forced entry to the apartment involved in the above call.

3:04, Bryn Mawr and Winthrop - Male in a purple hoodie is chasing after a female heading north on Winthrop. Officer indicates he is looking for them.

3:06, Bryn Mawr and Winthrop - Male subject mentioned above has taken off the purple hoodie and is now headed south on Winthrop.

3:22, 6332 N Glenwood - Residential motion alarm set off. Officer en route to check it out.

Spare change stolen...and other crimes from the News-Star

Haul on Margate
Police arrived to a call of an open door in a home on the 900 block of W. Margate at about 12:20 a.m. Jan. 30. A woman told police that when she came home, the kitchen window was open. Two computers, a stereo system, a pair of digital cameras, two iPods and jewelry were taken. The combined value is $3,800. An unknown amount of cash was also taken.
Argyle burglary
Burglars hauled computer hardware and software from a home on the 1300 block of W. Argyle sometime before 10:15 a.m. Jan. 31. The items had a combined value of $1,300.
Play ball
At about 2:35 a.m. Feb. 1, four men riding in a gold Honda were spotted driving on the 5900 block of N. Rockwell knocking off parked cars' side view mirrors with sticks. Eleven cars had their mirrors knocked off.
Hit for no reason
A 51-year-old man claims he was beaten by another man with a baseball bat at about 6 a.m. Feb. 1. He told police he was visiting a friend on the 1500 block of W. Hollywood when a man in his early 30s approached him on a stairwell holding a bat. That man reportedly did not say anything, but started hitting the first man. The wounded man went home and fell asleep, waking up at about 9:30 p.m. with pain in his arm. He admitted himself to Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a broken arm. He said the man who hit him was familiar but that he did not know him "on a personal level." He says he does not know why this man hit him.
Arson suspected in car fire
Police responded to a call of a car fire on the 5500 block of N. Washtenaw at 8 p.m. Jan. 27. When they arrived, the Chicago Fire Department had put out the fire in a 2006 Chevy. Firefighters told police they found a gas can on the floor of the car.
Man robbed in garage
A 34-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint in his garage on the 5900 block of N. Talman Avenue at about 8 p.m. Jan. 27. The man told police he went into his garage to start his car but forgot his keys. When he returned with his car keys, he was startled to see a man in his early 20s standing between the two cars parked in his garage. The young man pointed a gun in the first man's face and told him to turn around. Another man appeared, also in his 20s, and covered his face with his hood. The victim told them to take everything, but leave his ID. The men grabbed his wallet and ran out. A few minutes later, one of them returned and told the victim to "Turn around, here's your wallet." They ordered him not to call police "because we know where you live." The victim said he could not find his wallet on the floor.
Spare change
Burglars grabbed $5 in spare change after they pried the door open in a home on the 5000 block of N. Western. The victim discovered the burglary at about 9:45 a.m. Jan. 29.
Burglars hit apartment complex
Someone broke into an apartment complex on the 2900 block of W. Farragut and took a videogame system, games, a laptop and cellphone with a combined value of $850. The break-in occurred sometime between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 29.
Thief grabs computer
Workers in a bakery on the 5400 block of N. Clark told police that a man in his late teens grabbed a customer's laptop computer and ran out of the store at 9:15 p.m. Jan. 28.

Source: Chicago Journal News-Star

Power Outages in Edgewater

According to ChicagoBreakingNews.com 1,500 people in Edgewater are currently without power. The residents effected appear to be ComEd customers along the lakefront, in an area by Ardmore Avenue to the north, Sunnyside Avenue to the south, Marine Drive to the east and Broadway to the west. Crews are working to restore power.

In Fine Spirits mentioned in Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times recently ran a story featuring wine bars around the city and mentions Andersonville's own In Fine Spirits (5420 N Clark). If you haven't yet had an opportunity to check out In Fine Spirits we recommend you stop in for a glass or bottle of vino to support this welcome new(er) addition to the neighborhood. Check out their website for events and tastings: www.infinespirits.com.

Restaurant Review: Los Arcos

Always looking for good food in the area, we found fellow blogger Tamale Chica's recent review of her experience at Mexican restaurant Los Arcos in Andersonville (5525 N Clark) interesting. The food sounds and looks amazing, but one key component of a good Mexican restaurant seems missing: the margarita. Check out her review and blog here.

Aldi eyes space at Clarovista (formerly The Granville)

Thanks to an annonymous reader for this tip - it appears that Aldi intends to lease the retail space once rumored to be potential sites for Staples and Trader Joe's at the new Granville/Clarovista condo development at Granville & Broadway. The discount grocer Aldi has apparently notified Alderman Joe Moore in writing of its intentions to become the major tenant in the building.

2/6/09 UPDATE: Apparently the Clarovista does not do their neighborly duty of clearing the snow off the sidewalks: http://www.derivativeworks.com/2009/02/find-a-shovel-clarovista.html

Street Safety Seminar

When: February 28th, 2009 at 10AM

Where: 20th Chicago Police District

Community Room

5400 N. Lincoln Chicago, IL 60625

From the News-Star Crime Blotter

Da Bandit robs Edgewater bank
A man described in his twenties wearing a Chicago Bears cap robbed the North Community Bank at 5342 N. Broadway around 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 23. Employees told police that the man approached the teller windows and asked for information about bank accounts. The man then threw down a duffle bag and told employees to "fill it up." He displayed a gun as the employees put about $941 in the bag. He then took the bag and walked out of the bank. One of the employees told police that the man said, "Hurry up, or I'll shoot this guy."
(ECB previously reported on this store here)
Garage break-in
Someone broke into a garage in the 5700 block of N. Talman some time before 6 p.m. Jan. 23. The thief stole a bike worth $1,200, and also took $150 and two checkbooks from a 1996 Jeep.
Church rectory robbed
Someone robbed a church rectory in the 5200 block of N. Kenmore some time before 8 a.m. on Jan. 9. A church employee told police that he found a rear door ajar, and the church's flat-screen TV missing.
Apartment ransacked
A 21-year-old woman returning home to her apartment in the 5500 block of W. Lakewood around 9 p.m. on Jan. 20 called police when she found her front door ajar. Both police and the victim entered the apartment, which had been ransacked. The victim reported a flat-screen TV, DVD player, laptop computer and iPod with a combined value of $1,450 missing.
Source: Chicago Journal's News-Star

Price drop at 5430 N Sheridan

No surprise considering the real estate market, but YoChicago writes about dramatic price cuts at the development at 5430 N Sheridan. According to the story, the building is now being marketed by its third real estate company (@ Properties) and prices have droped $50,000 to $150,000 per home.

8:28, 1400 W. Devon - Caller reports that a liquor store at or near this address is being robbed. Several cars are on the scene, so other units in the are are being asked to slow it down.

8:30, 1400 W. Devon - Total disregard is announced regarding the reported robbery in progress.

8:41, 6536 N. Sheridan - Disturbance reported. 3 males are loitering inside the McDonald's.

8:48, Berwyn Red Line stop - Premise check.

....it's been a quiet night.